We've been pushing sustainable design for over a decade now, and honestly? It's become personal. Every project's a chance to do better than the last.
Look, I'll be straight with you - the construction industry's responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. That's... not great. When we started specializing in sustainable residential design, it wasn't just about jumping on some trend. Vancouver's changing, our climate's changing, and sitting on the sidelines felt wrong.
Every home we design now has to answer one question: how do we make this better for the people living in it AND the environment around it? Sometimes that means convincing clients that upfront costs will pay off. Sometimes it's finding creative solutions when budgets are tight. But that's the work.
We've learned a ton through trial and error. Not everything works the first time, and that's fine. The passive house project we did in Kitsilano back in 2019? The energy modeling took three tries before we got it right. But now? That family's heating bill is basically pocket change, even during those brutal cold snaps.
Check out what sustainable design could mean for your project
Get Your AssessmentHere's the actual impact we've managed to achieve. Nothing theoretical here.
Average Energy Reduction
vs. standard buildsMaterials Diverted
from landfillskWh Saved Annually
across all projectsTonnes CO2 Offset
per yearBefore we even think about solar panels or fancy tech, we nail the basics. Superior insulation, airtight building envelope, proper ventilation. It's not sexy, but it works. We've got homes in North Van that barely need heating, even in January.
We're picky about what goes into our buildings. Local suppliers when possible, recycled content, low-VOC everything. Had a client recently who was sensitive to chemicals - working through material selection with her taught me stuff I'd never considered before.
Rainwater harvesting isn't just for show. We've designed systems that handle everything from garden irrigation to toilet flushing. One house in West Point Grey cut municipal water use by 60%. The owners are basically celebrities in their neighborhood now.
We're integrating systems that learn your patterns and optimize everything automatically. It's pretty wild watching a house basically run itself.
Taking water from sinks and showers, treating it, and reusing it. Sounds complicated but the systems have gotten so much simpler lately.
Not just for looks - they actually regulate temperature, manage stormwater, and give pollinators some habitat. Plus they look amazing.
Solar's great but storing that energy for when you need it? That's the real game-changer. We're designing for full grid independence now.
Here's what nobody tells you - green homes just feel different. Better air quality means you actually notice when you come back from a trip. Consistent temperatures mean no more fighting over the thermostat. And yeah, the energy bills are basically nonexistent.
We've had clients tell us their kids are more aware of their environmental impact now. One family started composting, another got really into native plant gardening. The house becomes this catalyst for other changes, y'know?
See Our Green ProjectsSustainability isn't static - we're constantly adapting and improving
We're tracking how our buildings actually perform after people move in. The data's teaching us where our models are off and where we're nailing it. This year we're implementing real-time monitoring for all new projects.
We're designing buildings that can be taken apart and reused later. Sounds weird but construction waste is massive. If we can design for disassembly from the start, those materials get a second life instead of hitting the dump.
Working with neighborhood associations and community groups to share what we're learning. We've done a few workshops on sustainable retrofits for existing homes - turns out people are hungry for this info.
Whether you're starting from scratch or retrofitting an existing home, there's always room to build greener. We'll walk through what makes sense for your budget, your site, and your goals. No pressure, no judgment - just honest conversation about what's possible.